Iyer (126*) & Rahul (102) Serve Special Diwali Treat As Team India Amass 410/4

Bengaluru: Nearly 50,000 spectators at Chinnaswamy Stadium were treated to special Diwali fireworks by Shreyas Iyer (128 not out off 94 balls) and KL Rahul here on Sunday.

Iyer blasted 10 fours and 5 sixes in a blistering unbeaten 128 off 94 balls, while Rahul was even more severe as he raced to 102 off just 64 balls, smacking 11 fours and 4 sixes.

The third-wicket pair added 208 runs in only 21 overs in an exhibition of high-class batsmanship to help Team India post a massive 410/4 in their final ODI World Cup league fixture against the Netherlands.

It was India’s seventh 400-plus total in the 50-over format, and their fourth-highest overall.

Batting first after winning the toss, skipper Rohit Sharma (61), Shubman Gill (51) and Virat Kohli (51) all got half-centuries before Iyer and Rahul took charge in the most authoritative manner.

India, looking for their ninth straight win, will face New Zealand in the semifinals at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on November 15.